Scan barcode
isabelawith1l's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I think my biggest issue was that even though I should have been all over this book in theory, the pacing was so awkward that I couldn't get through more than a couple pages at a time until I bit the bullet and just finished it.
** spoilers ahead **
I so very badly wanted Henryk to be the missing prince Jonas because that would've made so much more sense as to why he was mysteriously left alive and had the same ability to resist as Marian, etc. instead of having Jonas randomly show up at the end.
Also, I thought of Henryk as being a middle-aged man, so I got kinda icked out when Marian and him started having feelings for each other. I was def rooting for a sapphic love story between Marian and the princess.
** spoilers ahead **
I so very badly wanted Henryk to be the missing prince Jonas because that would've made so much more sense as to why he was mysteriously left alive and had the same ability to resist as Marian, etc. instead of having Jonas randomly show up at the end.
Also, I thought of Henryk as being a middle-aged man, so I got kinda icked out when Marian and him started having feelings for each other. I was def rooting for a sapphic love story between Marian and the princess.
richard_nell's review
3.0
A fast, pleasant read, which I think improved as I detected a distinct Musketeers vibe.
Instead of d'Artagnan, though, the country rube from the provinces, we have Marian - the only woman in a unit of elite kings guard. She brings an ancient, familial sword and a lot of pluck, and does her best to defend a useless king and his family from his predatory advisor.
Rather than the musketeer brotherhood we have a budding love story with self-declared destroyer of the Rose Crown - Henryk, a big, strapping mercenary who becomes captain of the guard through his friendship with The Enemy - nobleman and advisor Anselm.
Marian and Henryk are really the only characters who matter, and certainly the only ones I cared about. I actually wanted to know more about them and their past and motivations, but alas this was not to be.
Essentially The Rose Crown is a fantasy adventure story. If you go in expecting complex world-building, character development, or trope-twisting cleverness, you will be disappointed. However you are certainly going to get action, magic, a little romance, a clear struggle against villainy, and ultimately, triumph.
There's a bit too much naval-gazing for my tastes, but many readers enjoy this, and the writing definitely does its job. Ultimately I recommend not asking too many questions as you go. Just sit back, get a glass of wine, and enjoy the ride.
For any readers who like fast-paced adventure stories with a female protagonist, this is an easy recommend.
Instead of d'Artagnan, though, the country rube from the provinces, we have Marian - the only woman in a unit of elite kings guard. She brings an ancient, familial sword and a lot of pluck, and does her best to defend a useless king and his family from his predatory advisor.
Rather than the musketeer brotherhood we have a budding love story with self-declared destroyer of the Rose Crown - Henryk, a big, strapping mercenary who becomes captain of the guard through his friendship with The Enemy - nobleman and advisor Anselm.
Marian and Henryk are really the only characters who matter, and certainly the only ones I cared about. I actually wanted to know more about them and their past and motivations, but alas this was not to be.
Essentially The Rose Crown is a fantasy adventure story. If you go in expecting complex world-building, character development, or trope-twisting cleverness, you will be disappointed. However you are certainly going to get action, magic, a little romance, a clear struggle against villainy, and ultimately, triumph.
There's a bit too much naval-gazing for my tastes, but many readers enjoy this, and the writing definitely does its job. Ultimately I recommend not asking too many questions as you go. Just sit back, get a glass of wine, and enjoy the ride.
For any readers who like fast-paced adventure stories with a female protagonist, this is an easy recommend.
More...